Editor’s note: We are continuing our series of inside stories about concert violinist Zina Schiff’s triumphs on CDs as told by her very knowledgeable sister, Eileen Wingard.
SAN DIEGO — My sister Zina Schiff’s debut CD recordings were two with the Israel Philharmonic, conducted by Israel’s world-renowned maestra, Dalia Atlas. That came about thanks to Kingsley McLaren, who, at the time, was the program director of KFSD-FM, San Diego’s prize-winning classical music station.
After interviewing Zina on his morning show, before one of her San Diego appearances, Kingsley became one of Zina’s most loyal fans.
One sunny San Diego afternoon, while chauffeuring his out-of-town visitor, Michael Fine, head of Stradivari Classics, Kingsley was playing a tape on his car stereo of Zina’s performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the La Jolla Symphony. His passenger’s ears perked up.
A few months later, Zina was in Jerusalem, recording two albums for Stradivari Classics, Bach & Vivaldi and The Lark Ascending (works of Vaughn-Williams). Originally, along with Vivaldi’s Concertos in A minor and G minor and Bach’s Concertos in A minor and G major, she was supposed to record the Bach Concerto in D minor for two violins, performing with one of the rotating concertmasters of the Israel Philharmonic. However, scheduling problems interfered and Michael Fine suggested that Zina substitute the Chaccone from Partita #2 for unaccompanied violin.
The Chaconne performance, which may be heard by clicking here, proved to be an extra-ordinarily good choice.
As the Australian-based composer, David Hush was quoted in the country’s scholarly journal, Quadrant (March 2001), “Zina Schiff’s interpretation of the Chaconne is nothing short of amazing; it represents one of the highest artistic levels achieved in the history of recorded sound.”
Bach composed his Violin Concertos and Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin while he was employed by Prince Leopold of Koethen. There, the composer created many of his secular and chamber works. However, since he was an accomplished church organist, and, up to then, had earned his living playing the organ, that instrument had a strong influence on his instrumental writings, as can be heard in the Chaconne.
Under Zina’s fingers, the harmonies are clear and the remarkable architectural structure of the piece is beautifully projected: a simple four bar chordal theme with 64 variations, each adding a layer of complexity, a powerful tribute to the creative genius of mankind.
May you draw strength from this profound music found on the CD Bach & Vivaldi, Zina Schiff, violin, Israel Philharmonic, Dalia Atlas, conductor, Stradivari Classics.
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Eileen Wingard is a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com
Thank you, Eileen, this was beautiful to listen to.
Just beautiful, Eileen. Thank you for sharing.